Tag Archives: argyle

Have you got a baby with cold legs? Have you got some old knee-socks that you’ve practically walked right through? You could buy some fancy baby leg warmers for upwards of $10 a pop, or you could make your own! I loved this project partly because I was able to complete the whole thing with photographs in under one nap (45 minutes).

I have been accused of hoarding socks in the past, and I will admit that I tend to keep them way past their prime. I can’t help it – I love socks. Funky, colorful, super-soft, warm… socks are pretty awesome. And now that I’ve found a use for the ones that somebody says I need to get rid of, vengeance is mine!

Ok, back to the tutorial. First, track down some old socks. Holes in the toes? Heels threadbare? No problem. I found these old cuties buried in my sock drawer and thought, “The bambina would love pink and red argyle leg warmers!” (Yep, they’re Valentine socks. Quite possibly my favorite variety.)

Find the place where the leg meets the heel. If your socks have a different color heel than leg, then you’ve got a super easy job! If not, look for where the stitches change. In mine, the stitches of the heel were smoother than the leg.

Your goal is to cut across the top of the heel.

Then, go ahead and cut straight across from there.

Flip it inside out.

Roll the cut edge up (or down, depending on how you have the sock laying in front of you) about 1/2 inch. Then, flip under the cut edge up to the fold. You’re effectively creating a roll that is about 1/4 inch that encases the cut edge. (It was much easier to do it this way than to try to fold 1/4 inch and then fold over another 1/4 inch. But if your sock makes it easier to do it that more traditional way, then more power to you!) Pin the roll in place.

Grab some elastic thread. Yep, you really do want elastic thread. That will help maintain the stretchiness of the sock. I found this in the elastic section (not the thread section) of my local fabrics and crafts store.

Cut yourself a piece of elastic that’s about four times the width of the sock (enough to wrap around twice without stretching). Find a big old needle with an eye big enough to fit the elastic thread through. (I think this was one I bought for tying quilts.) Make one stitch through the roll and tie off the end, leaving a couple inches tail. Use a slip stitch to sew the rolled hem down to the leg. Pull the elastic taut, but don’t stretch it as you go. Work your way around the sock, then tie the string to the tail you left at the beginning and trim off the extra.

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Hi, I'm Jacelyn! My bambina was born in December of 2011, and although Papa and I are trying to raise her with as little stuff as possible, my goal is to make sure that as much of that stuff is homemade as I can. Join us, won't you?

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You may feel free to borrow any of my photos as long as you credit them back to me, with the exception of photos of my little Bambina - you may not use any pictures of my baby anywhere for any purpose.